New mobility safety toolkit promotes traffic safety conversations between caregivers and children

Just in time for International Walk to School Week, The City of Calgary is proud to launch our Mobility Safety Education Toolkit as part of ongoing efforts to improve the safety of our network for Calgarians of all ages. With a focus on enhancing public traffic safety education, the online toolkit contains fun and educational resources for children, families and educators.

Found at calgary.ca/StreetSafeKids, this free resource was designed to teach safe travel practices and make relevant and meaningful connections with the local community.

The highlight of the toolkit is the Calgary in Motion! Activity Book, developed in collaboration with the Calgary Police Service, Alberta Motor Association (AMA) and Ever Active Schools. The 24-page booklet is geared towards children aged 5 to 12 and provides engaging activities on traffic safety.

Accompanying the activity book is a Conversation Guide, intended to empower adults to have meaningful traffic safety conversations with children. The guide provides tips on how to use the activity book as well as advice on how to engage children in traffic safety discussions.

The toolkit also features a Staying Safe on City Streets video series, with the first episode covering crosswalk safety.

"This toolkit has been created with the goal of highlighting and encouraging parents and caregivers to have traffic safety conversations with children," said Jacquelyn Oriold, Mobility Education Specialist at The City of Calgary.  “Just as new drivers need to learn and practice their skills under supervision before traveling independently, children must also learn and practice safe walking and wheeling skills. Children learn by watching others, especially the adults in their lives.  We encourage adults to talk about traffic safety, model safe travel behavior themselves and help children practice the skills that will develop future safe travel behavior."

Both the activity book and conversation guide are now available in PDF format on the toolkit webpage. The guide has been translated into multiple languages to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for more members of the community. Complimentary printed activity books will be available at City of Calgary facilities across the city over the next few weeks. Schools and community groups can request bulk orders of activity books by contacting 311.

We continue investing in engineering treatments, safety programs and traffic control for safer mobility. However, an individual’s own knowledge and safe behaviour plays an essential role in making our communities safer and more enjoyable.

The Mobility Safety Education Toolkit is a significant step towards creating safer streets and empowering the next generation of Calgarians with the knowledge and skills required to safely navigate their communities.

Visit calgary.ca/StreetSafeKids for the complete toolkit.  

More information about our other safety programs can be found at Calgary.ca/BeSafe.